Really, Lose Belly Fat While You Sleep?

How Melatonin Supplements Might Help You Lose Weight

You have perhaps heard that you can eat fat and lose weight , something a number of people find hard to believe (but true). However, this may sound too much like a dream come true. Catching 40 winks may actually help you lose fat, especially the dreaded, unattractive and dangerous belly fat. How?

Well, whilst sleep is not the first thing you think about when it comes to fat loss. However, studies indicate that it plays an important role. Our previous post about why it is hard to lose belly fat did not include sleep as one of the reasons, but we did mention the different types of body fat as it is important to understand this. For the purpose of this post, we will put these into classes. These are:

1. White fat: This is the bad or unhealthy fat. There are two type of this, subcutaneous and visceral fat. Subcutaneous fat is found under the skin. It is the type you can “pinch” around your belly. Visceral fat lies within the abdominal cavity and around inner organs. This is the most dangerous type of fat.

2. Brown/beige fat: Also called brown adipose tissue (BAT), this healthy type of fat. Beige fat is also healthy fat that is often confused with brown fat.[1]

But What Does All This Have To Do With Sleep And Belly Fat?

Research shows that the sleep hormone melatonin may encourage fat loss by stimulating the production of beige fat.[2] Beige fat is said to convert unhealthy white fat into healthy brown fat. Secreted by the pineal gland in the brain, melatonin plays an important role in the regulation of sleep cycles.

Production of melatonin production may be affected by artificial light. Production of the hormone reduces with age, which can cause decline in sleep quality as well as health. And, apparently, it can also be a reason it is difficult to lose weight as one gets older.

Do You Need Melatonin Supplement And Where Can You Buy It?

Whether you need melatonin supplements is a personal decision based on how well (or not) you think you sleep. The right dosage may require some trial and error, but it is recommended that you follow the product label instructions. Working with a healthcare professional is highly recommended. As this is a sleep aid, the time you take it is critical.

As melatonin is naturally found in some foods, it is allowed to be sold as a dietary supplement. It is the only hormone hormone in the US that is allowed to be sold without a prescription. Supplements are available in stores offline and online, including Amazon.